Local & Regional

11:52 am

Wed July 27, 2011

DHS Hike Delayed

Oklahoma City, OK – The Department of Human Services is delaying a hike in the co-payment parents must pay before getting DHS help with child care expenses. The new cost structure was to have gone into effect this coming Monday.

DHS Commissioner Steven Dow doesn't believe the hike is legal, because fees cannot be raised when the legislature is not in session. The DHS claims this is a co-payment; not a fee.

Both sides will now seek an Attorney General's opinion. That opinion would be legally binding. Dow says the DHS doesn't need the increased fees. He says the department is sitting on a 15-million dollar cash reserve.